Gardening by the Moon

Just picked up my Lunar Calender for 2014 this morning. Is anyone interested in taking up the challenge to try this method of gardening with me this year instead of or beside standard methods as an experiment? As previously posted, last year was my first year and I was really sceptic but it worked.

I can 'post up' what we are suppposed to do each day for the week starting 1st Feb and it would be great to compare notes. It doesn't matter where you live, the rules still apply. It would be good too, if Gardener's World had an article each month on the subject.

Posts

I'm willing to give it a try. Did it a few years ago and it worked fine but haven't always found the calendar since and the last two gardening years were wiped out by various ops to reconstruct failed bits of my skeleton.

No probs TN, biofreaks doing it by the moon for the first time, there could be others who have grown that way since Adam was a lad but we can learn from each other...

Sometimes urban legends need to be tested...the number of gardeners that go out by torch light to catch slugs in the belief they are making a difference was squashed last week for me when I read there are hundreds in the soil just waiting to replace them..so killing 12 slugs in a night isn't going to have a huge impact on the grand scheme of things but if it increases the feel good factor gardeners will continue to do it...I'll get my coat...

I just couldn't do it Verdun, it might work but I could not physically pick a slug or snail up, urghhhhhhhh I am a lot braver than I used to be, as long as I have gloves on, but just couldn't do it. Last summer there was one in the kitchen and I had to shout my OH in to move it!!!! Softy me

Getting back to the Moon!!---No you don't do it at night - That's for Druids I think!

I had great results last year and I did run a patch alongside and garden normally. Found I got more crops plus things actually came up as predicted even though it was really hard to resist gardening on a non gardening day - which you must do. Plus you must not use chemicals . I did follow my heart on the non moon patch and I have to say things did not work out as well despite being an Organic Gardener. So - I'll put together a short piece on how the Moon is supposed to work and set up the Diary with tips and wrinkles according to my 'Moon' mag each week. By the way - it doesn't matter where you live, hot, cold, wet or dry - I'm in Normandy bang opposite Jersey, but still get vicious winds and cold in Winter on the diagonal North east. By the way the Moon Guide covers pruning/flowers and fruit not just veg - So any Doubting Thomas's out there - why not give it a go?

It sounds really interesting and as I said, I will follow your posts with interest. Unfortunately I don't think I can join in as I need to garden when work allows and make the most of dry weather. If I was working on a gardening day for example I couldn't do it and then if it's fine on a non gardening day but it's weekend, I have to get things done. I hope that makes sense and good luck with your project.

I just couldn't do it Verdun, it might work but I could not physically pick a slug or snail up, urghhhhhhhh I am a lot braver than I used to be, as long as I have gloves on, but just couldn't do it. Last summer there was one in the kitchen and I had to shout my OH in to move it!!!! Softy me

Chop sticks are your friend

Biofreak I'd be interested in learning more about this. Are there any articles you'd recommend?

The moon is deemed as 'ascending for the first thirteen and a half days of the month (During the period of New to Full Moon) crossing between the constellations of Sagittarius and Taurus. During this period the sap rises in the plants and it is the time to sow and gather all vegetables except roots (eg: Parsnips/Carrots)

The moon is deemed to 'redescend' towards the horizon during the following thirteen and a half days of the month between the constellations of Taurus and Scorpio. During this time, prepare to enrich the soil, prepare new beds, weed, prick and plant out seedlings. Divide herbs and pinch out tips on fruiting plants like tomatoes/aubergines and courgettes or pumpkins in particular.

Tomorrow I'll cover the plants associated with the different constellations and give you your first week's calender. Any questions so far??

Biofreak...........was intrigued to read your posts on this. Also that you are based in Normandy.

When I lived in France, the lunar method seemed far more popular than here in UK. There were always plenty of calendars available for this purpose and the French Garden mags always used to have sections devoted to lunar gardening.

Great to have you behind me on this one! Yes, most French Gardeners are Bio/and Lunar followers, in particular Bio-dynamic gardening uses the constellations and this is being introduced on the Radio and TV this year.

Anyway, back to the Moon's track across the sky and when you DON'T garden.

When the moon is at it's highest point and furthest away from the earth it is called 'apogee' - When it is at it's nearest point it is called 'perigee' - In both instances it is deemed harmful to plants and seedlings grow weakly and are prone to sickness. The primary cause is because if you imagine 'high and low tides' which we know are caused by the gravitational force of the moon/earth - At the highest and lowest position of the moon, it is effectively ineffective - neither pulling or pushing growth.

So these 2 points are known as 'noeuds lunaires' or knotted moons. ie. Fixed and doing nothing.Thus it makes sense to do nothing but basic maintenance on these days as indicated in the Calender.

Each Constellation favours Roots/leafy veg & herbs/Flowering veg/Seeds & fruits, and as the moon passes through the Constellations, strengths and weaknesses are denoted in growth

As the moon rises and passes through Capricorn & Taurus, and a descends through Virgo it covers Root Vegetables such as: Garlic/Beetroot/Carrots/Celeriac/Shallots/Turnips/Onions/Leeks/Potatoes & Radishes.

As the moon rises through Pisces and descends through Cancer & Scorpio it affects leafy vegetables such as: Asparagus/Cabbage/Spinach/Lettuce/Leeks/Chard/Rhubarb and aromatic herbs.

As the moon rises through Aquarius and descends through Libra & Gemini it has a favourable action on Flower-Vegetables such as: Artichokes/Broccoli & Caulifowers.

As the moon rises through Aries & Sagittarius and descends through Leo it favours the maturity of seeds and fruit such as: Aubergines/Cucumbers/Courgettes/Beans/Peas/Melons & Tomatoes.

This makes perfect sense to me as the higher it goes in simplistic wording - the more it pulls plants upwards, and the lower it goes it forces roots down. Following the course through the constellations would indicate it's strengths and weaknesses through each constellation on the relevant veg family.

Hope you are following this so far, because then you can begin to understand how the Calender works.

Any Questions?

Calender to follow in next couple of hours - Plus some answers to questions (I hope!)